The benefit of owning dogs.

Dogs are great. I have always had them...since I was a baby. We always have owned beagles and one bassett. My Granddad, uncles, dad, cousins, myself, my daughter...we all like to run the dogs in the woods and hunt rabbits and foul (yes hounds can hunt foul pretty good).

My hounds come fishing with me. Off road in the Jeep with me. Camping. You name it.

Now here is the latest thing they have done to gain brownie points:

Last night they were scratching at the back door to go out in the yard. I let them out and they started howling right away. Acting very agressive. I live on a lake, and in a pretty wooded area. I can see the house nearest to me through some light "woods" about 200 yards away.

I take a look in the direction of that house (dogs still going nuts) and I see this guy raise up, and start running away.

There is a bat on the deck in a rubbermaid bin, so I grabbed it and ran to the front of the house. He must have stayed to the woods because I did not see him again.

I call over to the house next doors to alert them of this guy.

Kept the rifle handy last night just inncase. Locked it back up this morning.

Probably some idiot breaking into sheds for tools etc...

The dogs must have scared the shit out of that guy. I wish he had been in my yard, they would have ripped his calves off.

Dogs have the most genuine love to give. We've had ours since she was 10 weeks old, a German Shepherd mix.. never once have we felt threatened with her around!

Once, she was on one of those corkscrew-type leads in the yard and a stray dog came up to me. I leaned down to put my hand out to the other dog, who flipped out and bit the knee of my pants. MY dog ripped the corkscrew lead out of the ground, with a piece of sod attached, ran over, grabbed the stray dog by the neck and flipped it over.

Dogs have the most genuine love to give. We've had ours since she was 10 weeks old, a German Shepherd mix.. never once have we felt threatened with her around!

Once, she was on one of those corkscrew-type leads in the yard and a stray dog came up to me. I leaned down to put my hand out to the other dog, who flipped out and bit the knee of my pants. MY dog ripped the corkscrew lead out of the ground, with a piece of sod attached, ran over, grabbed the stray dog by the neck and flipped it over.

Cons-they smell, they're dirty, they jump on you, they bark at or try to attack anyone that comes on or near "their" property.m

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 32547856

They shit and shit and shit then they bark and bark and bark...get a motion detector light if your worried about people sneaking around your shed...lights don't take a huge shit in your yard and make noise all night long.

With freedom comes responsibility.

I ain't voting for Monica Lewinsky's ex-boyfriend's wife.

Atheism: The indirect worshiping of God through the study of His creation, known as science.

Cons-they smell, they're dirty,they jump on you, they bark at or try to attack anyone that comes on or near "their" property.m

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 32547856

Wash them, Train them

Seems like it's more of an owner responsibility problem instead of a dog problem.

Job 12:7) But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:8) Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.

Cons-they smell, they're dirty, they jump on you, they bark at or try to attack anyone that comes on or near "their" property.m

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 32547856

They shit and shit and shit then they bark and bark and bark...get a motion detector light if your worried about people sneaking around your shed...lights don't take a huge shit in your yard and make noise all night long.

Quoting: BRIEF

Dogs are better than some light that quietly turns on at 3:00am while I'm asleep and give light to some piece of shit trying to steal my Chainsaw.

Yep, they do shit. And yep, I have to clean it up. Oh well. They sleep all night long, unless something makes them uneasy.

Cons-they smell, they're dirty, they jump on you, they bark at or try to attack anyone that comes on or near "their" property.m

Quoting: Anonymous Coward 32547856

They shit and shit and shit then they bark and bark and bark...get a motion detector light if your worried about people sneaking around your shed...lights don't take a huge shit in your yard and make noise all night long.

Quoting: BRIEF

Yeah, but they're not cute and cuddly-wuddly like a nice doggie. Just sayin' :)

"When tyrants tremble in their fear, and hear their death knell ringing,When friends rejoice both far and near, how can I keep from singing"

My dog is great at finding lost things and playing hide and seek, which is like search and rescue practice. I was shocked the first time that I saw she was able to do this with little training. My neighbors now look to help from my dog if they lose a pet.

The years passed, mankind became stupider at a frightening rate. Some had high hopes the genetic engineering would correct this trend in evolution, but sadly the greatest minds and resources where focused on conquering hair loss and prolonging erections. ~ Narrator (Idiocracy)

There are four (4) camps of people with regards to their opinions on dogs.

1) These people simply do not like dogs, and no discussion will sway their opinion.

2) These people "like" dogs, but believe their responsibilities and relationship ends at the back door. The dogs kept are novelties, turned out to their own devises (tied or out in the yard), and receive little if any interaction beyond pouring out some garbage food from a bag.

3) These are the "foo-foo" dog people; possibly even seeing the dog as a replacement for a child. These are the folks you see "dressing" the dog in costumes and other adornments.

4) These people view, treat, and depend on the dog as a partner, while also understanding the differences between people and dogs, and benefit from a well established pack structure and honest relationship with their dog(s).

I am solidly in camp #4, and have been over the course of my 44 years.

Yes, I have a big, black, "scary" Rottweiler who lives inside our home, watches over my family, dotes on my 15m/o son, and goes nearly everywhere with me. Most anyone who is bothered by that are likely the same that fear a firearm because of it's color or configuration - and as such have no bearing on me and my dog anyway.

As strong of an advocate as I am for the ownership and use of firearms as part of a personal protection plan, a solid, well (highly) trained and clear-minded dog carries just as much importance in that plan.

No weapon I have ever owned has the ability to wake me at 3:00 AM for someone prowling around outside, or attempting entry into my home. No weapon I have ever owned can make the conscious decision to engage said threat(s) in the same window of time that I am grabbing another weapon (and waking up) to meet this threat.

I know that any firearms I may currently own or may own in the future require maintenance and upkeep. I drive an old Land Rover that I know requires maintenance and upkeep. Even my relationship with my wife requires maintenance and upkeep. As a responsible dog owner, I know that he, as well, requires maintenance and upkeep.

Since my dog is second only to my wife in being regarded as my best, most dependable friend; the training, maintenance, and upkeep are viewed by ME as a very small investment with limitless dividends.

Job 12:7) But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee:8) Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach thee: and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee.